Blackstone Heritage Corridor Mounts $1.3M Campaign

WORCESTER, MA — A nonprofit overseeing the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor has mounted a new fundraising effort to improve the cultural ecosystem along the river between Worcester and Providence.

The corridor's "Legacy Campaign: Reimagining Our Future" will aim to raise $1.3 million for:

• Updating or replacing interpretive signs, exhibits and heritage center displays along the corridor — with some approaching 40 years old. The corridor wants to hire a person to oversee the replacement of about 200 signs across the region.
• Recruit, train and support volunteers as part of the National Park Service's Volunteers-In-Parks program.
• Invest in the efforts of the dozens of small nonprofits in the Blackstone River Valley that are working on historical, cultural and environmental preservation.

The campaign kickoff took place May 30 near where the Blackstone River bikeway is being extended into Rhode Island in Blackstone. The fourth prong of the campaign will be to advocate for the completion of a bikeway along the entire corridor. A significant portion of the bikeway is complete in Rhode Island, but the Massachusetts section only has a few miles built in Worcester and Millbury, and between Uxbridge and Blackstone.

"[Imagine] taking a ride on a beautiful spring day from Worcester to Providence, with many stops to explore nature, discover history, and have ice cream," Blackstone Heritage Corridor board chair Dennis Rice said in a news release. "Rhode Island is around 85 percent complete; Massachusetts is unfortunately a bit behind. But progress is happening right here in front of us, connecting Blackstone to Woonsocket. But miles to go before we’re finished, it will take sustained advocacy by a passionate public, and we need the help from all of you!"

The campaign has already raised about $420,000 from corporate, foundation and private donations so far. The campaign will host an event on June 28 at Rushford and Sons Brewhouse in Upton. The brewery will donate $1 from every beer, hard seltzer and four-pack sold that night.